Archive for April 24, 2014

In honor of “it’s a small world” 50th anniversary, I found a video of the original attraction at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. It is amazing how different and alike the current attractions are to the original.

If you are a Mary Blair or Rolly Crump fan, this version show cases some of the artwork for the original attraction.

This video is on the 1964 New York World’s Fair in general and follows certain people around the Fair – boy scouts get lost, families have fun together, teachers learn, and boys chase girls. It is almost like being at a retro Epcot and Magic Kingdom at the same time.

(Did anyone notice how everyone dressed up to go to the World’s Fair? Or, the lack of strollers? Ahhh, the good ‘ol days.)

April 23, 2014 /
Tonya / Comments Off on Happy 50th Anniversary “it’s a small world” and Carousel of Progress

April 22nd was a busy day, indeed! Not only was it Earth Day, which is the day Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened 16 years ago in 1998, it was also the 50th anniversary of the April 22nd opening of the 1964 New York World’s Fair – which means it is the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress and Disney “it’s a small world”, since they both first opened at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

The Disney Parks Blog has some great pictures and history from the 1964 New York World’s Fair about these classic attractions.

Pepsi-Cola presents Walt Disney’s “it’s a small world” at the 1964 New York World’s Fair from Disney Parks Blog

Artwork by Disney Legend John Hench from Disney Parks Blog

According to the history of “it’s a small world” attraction listing on the Disney web page:

“it’s a small world” was created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. Personally overseen by Walt Disney in support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the attraction was a huge hit for 2 seasons at the fair and was eventually shipped back to Disneyland park, where it reopened on May 28, 1966.

In 1971, “it’s a small world” was recreated to become one of the Opening Day attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. Due to its immense popularity, the attraction has been replicated in every Disney Resort around the world and is considered a Walt Disney classic.

And the history on the Disney website for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress goes like this:

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress was personally created by Walt Disney for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.

Featuring state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics—Walt Disney’s latest animation technology at the time—the show was originally conceived as part of a new area at Disneyland park called Edison Square. When the concept was abandoned, the idea was re-imagined, eventually opening under the name “Progressland” at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.

With the classic song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” written and composed by the Academy Award®-winning team of brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, the show was an instant hit. Following its success, the show moved to Disneyland park and was renamed “The Carousel of Progress,” where it played until September 9, 1973.

In January 15, 1975, the attraction moved to Magic Kingdom theme park where it was rewritten and restaged with a new theme song, “The Best Time of Your Life.” But in the true spirit of progress, the show was reworked in 1994 to its initial incarnation with the original theme song intact—as a tribute to nostalgia.

To mark the occasion of the anniversary of Disney “it’s a small world”, check out smallworld50.com where you can upload a video of you singing the theme song or create a custom doll, all to benefit UNICEF. (Forewarning – it you don’t want to have the song in your head for the rest of the day then turn the volume off on your computer before you click the link.)

Disney and UNICEF’s relationship began in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair when Disney unveiled the “it’s a small world” attraction, a tribute to UNICEF and children around the world. More recently, Disney and UNICEF have worked together to create a brighter tomorrow for children through programming that helps foster imagination and creativity.

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of “it’s a small world”, Disney will donate $150,000 to benefit UNICEF. In addition, the company will donate $1 for every video recorded and every Small World digital doll created at www.smallworld50.com, up to $100,000.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, you can download Exclusive Carousel of Progress Wallpaper for your computer, ipad, and smartphones thanks to the Disney Parks Blog. There are also some “it’s a small world” wallpapers also.

And with all things Disney, there is merchandise to commemorate the occasion. Don’t miss out on getting your limited-release tees at Disneyshopping.com.

Ahhh, Mickey Balloons. I’ve loved them as long as I can remember. They are so cheerful and iconic. When I see this picture I took in the summer of 1982 it brings back such fond memories of an almost innocent time.

The balloons were different than they are now. Back then, the balloons were just latex with no extra protection. If your balloon popped, and it did quite often given the nature of the latex balloons, you would shed a few tears and listen to an “I told you so” by at least one of your family members. The tears never lasted long though because your Mickey balloon was always quickly replaced by a cast member.

Today, the latex Mickey balloons of yesteryear are no more. Now, the Mickey helium balloons are inside of a clear balloon, known as a glasshouse, or are shiny Mylar. Some even light up with the help of a glow stick. And instead of lasting a mere 24 hours, today’s Mickey balloons last up to a month. They cost significantly more than the Mickey balloons of my youth but still bring a smile to my face every time I see them being sold on Main Street USA.

(Did you notice the Disney rental strollers in the old picture? You gotta love a metal stroller with no padding on the seats. How about the short shorts with the knee socks? That’s why the 80’s were a great decade!)

Everyone needs a few new outfits for the Spring, including your kids. A new outfit of adorable Disney on sale is even better!!!

Kohl’s has an exclusive line of Disney Jumping Beans clothing for babies, toddlers, and kids up to size 7 and it is 30% off until April 19th, in-store and on-line. (And don’t forget the Kohl’s Cash you get for shopping.)

This is my favorite ensemble for girls. How cute would this be in your pictures in front of the castle or meeting Minnie Mouse herself? (The fact that it has sequins on it that sparkle is beside the point. Cough, cough.)

The boys aren’t left out either. There isn’t anything more American than Mickey Mouse and baseball.

I actually saw the display of this line of clothing at Kohl’s last week and thought to myself: “How cute are those!!! I wish they made them in adult sizes.” Sadly, they don’t come in adult sizes but you can still have your babies, toddlers, and kids be the cutest in the neighborhood or in the Parks this Spring and save some money at the same time.